11 Leadership Lessons from Pastor Beth Cunningham

My wife Kayla and I just completed our first half of the Highlands College Evening Core program.  To date it has been the single greatest investment in the development as leaders in both ministry and business life.  Our last teacher was Mrs. Pastor. Beth Cunningham who has served on staff at Church of the Highlands as the leader of all things 'kids'.  Its a big role as from my understanding she leads more than 10,000 children and toddlers all over the Alabama spanning over 14 campuses state wide. 

Given her very significant leadership career and her anointing for inspiring others I felt like I needed to adopt her list of the 11 things she has learned as my very own.  Listed below is a brief list of the lessons she has learned over the last 11 years and the principles that I will adopt into my leadership practices from this point going forward. 

1) God has not required me to do something at the expense of what he has required of me

God never ask us to do anything that he didn't give us the ability to do. Nor does he requires us to fulfill obligation that would require us to not honor our covenant relationships (i.e spouse, children, and other significant relationships etc)      

2) insecurity and pride are two sides of the same coin

In that case we are either making ourselves too big or God too small.   In either case we have made about 'me'.   We always have something to give and something to learn. 

3) leadership is influence

The ultimate leader is willing to assume responsibility and are willing to have touch conversations.  

4) Great leaders know when to be where

Great leaders know where they need to be and when they should be there.  They have great discernment and a great since of identity.  Knowing what they are made to accomplish and letting the rest go understanding they can't do everything  

5) A job title does not validate my position

It does not matter my title as Jesus will affirm who we are  

6) Who will often determine your what

The relationships we form often times will tell us the what 

7) H.A.L.T

Never make important decisions or do significant things when you are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired

8) God divinely orders his house

God will build your team because he loves your purpose.  He is the one that made our purpose and he himself will build that purpose.   Build a team from a place of faith know God will fulfill his word.  People are energized by vision and testimony.  Desperation exhaust people.   

9) God's leaders are willing to choose to shoulder the spiritual burden

Leaders understand and empathize with the struggles of others.  They feel the burden in a real way without internalizing it.                  

10) As a leaders at times I will at times be misunderstood

Yes you as a leader and also the team or organization you represent from time to time will be viewed differently then what you thought you were projecting.   But we can not let it change the way we see people.   Do you want to be right or righteous.  

11)  Perception is someone else's reality

What you are projecting is in many cases maybe the only 'Bible' a person ever sees or reads